John Vanbiesbrouck kicked out a frown and froze his glare, wide-eyed wife Rosalinde by his side at what was supposed to be a celebratory “introduction” to the Philadelphia media.

Vanbiesbrouck was the Flyers’ prize free agent signing that July of 1998, a veteran goaltender of accomplishment who at the age of 34 said he had a lot left to give. He was two years removed from winning a Vezina Trophy, and was an American Olympian just months before. But that summer “The Beezer” was perceived by almost everyone except the guys who had just signed off on his two-year, $7.25 million contract as being the third-best free agent goalie option behind Curtis Joseph and Mike Richter.

So while the TV cameras were rolling and the official photographers kept trying to capture a smile from him while holding up his new Flyers’ jersey, Vanbiesbrouck reeled that day from a peek into what would be a not completely unsuccessful but mostly unhappy two-year stay in the city that doesn’t always love you back.

Fending off the perception he was the “cheap choice” among those free agent goalies, Vanbiesbrouck said, “Am I a bargain? I don’t consider myself a coat on a rack.”

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Sixteen years after Vanbiesbrouck tailored that line for the media to trip over, here we are, casually tossing another star’s gilded name back on the discount rack.

Vinny Lecavalier scored 20 goals last season, and earned a combined salary of $10,761,905 for his trouble. That via a first-year salary from his front-loaded, 5-year, $22.5 million Flyers deal, plus $4.76 million in the first of what will be a 14-year compliance buyout term from Tampa Bay.

Drafted No. 1 overall by them just one month before the Flyers invited Vanbiesbrouck into their media den for a fuming first hello, Lecavalier has played 15 NHL seasons, scoring 403 goals and 911 points. And now his name is taken in Twitter vain.

Say what you will about him being overpaid, but that reaction is ridiculous. His game is not completely out of style.

Yes, Lecavalier’s 34 years are an issue, coming with 15 NHL seasons of wear and tear. A fractured vertebra early last season hindered him, too. But after a summer off and full training camp, perhaps he can get closer to peak physical form.

Of course, it’s still a matter of debate as to where Lecavalier will be by opening day.

There was some speculation that the Flyers might buy him out to clear cap space prior to the draft. That died fast, but new general manager Ron Hextall’s efforts to trade him were earnest. According to Florida GM Dale Tallon, the Flyers were “very close” to pulling off a deal for the Panthers’ No. 1 overall selection. Lecavalier was almost certainly in that offer, reportedly along with Brayden Schenn.

That’s interesting if only because one of those two is targeted as the club’s second-line center this season. It would figure that if Lecavalier proved anything last season, it was that he has to play in the middle. But coach Craig Berube was very reluctant to give Lecavalier that old second line spot back after he returned from his injury, as Schenn seemed to thrive there.

After a series of failed shuffles to the wing and shows of lost skating form, Lecavalier essentially was relegated to fourth-line work and mere fractions of the ice time he was brought here to provide. He didn’t perform up to expectations and Berube didn’t find a way to help him. Then came the front office change, with Paul Holmgren assuming the club presidency and Hextall the game controls. Almost immediately a “For Sale” sign was figuratively hung on Lecavalier’s locker room stall.

All the while, Lecavalier has kept out of it publicly while his agent shops for another team interested in contacting the Flyers about his services. Such talks may still be ongoing. It was learned Monday that Nashville lost top center Mike Fisher for 4-6 months with a ruptured Achilles, and voila, the trade speculation resumed.

Lecavalier’s not deserving of such negative attention, but when age takes a toll on everything but earning power, that take is easily understood. Regardless, the Flyers can’t begin to treat Lecavalier like a player prepped for the discount rack, either now while the trade market is still warm, or later, if he is left to plan for a second season before unforgiving press and forgetful fans.